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1001 Inventions Opens At Washington DC’s National Geographic Museum

The award-winning exhibition, 1001 Inventions, arrived in the US capital on the 3rd of August 2012, introducing brand new audiences to the Golden Age of Muslim Civilization. The ground-breaking scientific and cultural achievements of this era, from the 7thto the 17th centuries, will be introduced to visitors to the National Geographic Museum for six months, starting this summer.

“1001 Inventions: Discover the Golden Age of Muslim Civilization” is a blockbuster exhibition, touring the world in partnership with Abdul Latif Jameel Community Initiatives (ALJCI), that highlights the enormous contribution to science and technology made by men and women of many different faiths in Muslim Civilization. The exhibition, which has attracted almost three million visitors across the USA, Europe and the Middle East,will be open for six months at a venue just half a mile from the White House.

“Muslim civilization stretched from southern Spain as far as China,” explains Ahmed Salim, Producer and Director of 1001 Inventions. “For a thousand years, scholars of many faiths built on the ancient knowledge of the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, making breakthroughs that helped pave the way for the Renaissance. The discoveries made by men and women in Muslim civilization — from automatic machines and medical marvels to astronomical observations and inspiring architecture — have left their mark on the way we live today. The opening of our flagship exhibition at the National Geographic Museum today is part of a long term partnership of collaborations to promote awareness of this exciting era in history.”

1001 Inventions is a leading international science and cultural heritage brand that has reached over 50 million people through its award-winning educational programmes, blockbuster exhibitions, films, books and international events. 1001 Inventions promotes awareness of scientific and cultural achievements from the ‘Golden Age’ of Muslim Civilisation and how those contributions helped build the foundations of our modern world. The 1001 Inventions exhibition was named the Best Touring Exhibition of the Year at the Museums and Heritage Excellence Awards in 2011. This highly interactive exhibition showcases the historic advancements in navigation, medicine, hydraulics, optics, mathematics and more.

"The mission of National Geographic is to spread knowledge of the world and its cultures — past and present," said Kathryn Keane, Vice President of Exhibitions at the National Geographic Society. "This exhibition is an opportunity to share the fascinating history of Muslim civilization with our audiences and to celebrate great scientific achievement and innovation."

National Geographic has also published the companion to exhibition, “1001 Inventions: The Enduring Legacy of Muslim Civilization” with a foreword by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, who praised the production saying: “I am delighted to see the success of the 1001 Inventions initiative, which presents and celebrates the many scientific, technological and humanitarian developments shared by the Islamic world and the West.”

Supported by a network of international academics through the UK based Foundation for Science Technology and Civilisation (FSTC), 1001 Inventions has drawn millions of visitors at blockbuster residencies in London, Istanbul, New York,Dhahran and Abu Dhabi. A further 500,000 people saw the exhibition at the California Science Center in Los Angeles, where it was opened by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Fady Jameel, President of ALJCI’s international division,commented: “Our mission has been to inspire and support young people’s interest in science and engineering, and we are thrilled to see how popular the 1001 Inventions exhibitions and productions have become. Millions of people have experienced the 1001 Inventions exhibition across the USA, Europe and the Middle East. And we’re delighted to see that success continue in Washington, DC.”

The 1001 Inventions exhibition is open from the 3rd Aug. 2012 through 3rd Feb. 2013 at the National Geographic Museum in Washington DC as part of its North American tour.